Kerala Bike Challenge Cycle through the natural beauty of India To visit India is a visit to a living, breathing museum Our biking route weaves its way through the where the past exists comfortably beside the Western Ghats, with slopes covered in present. This superb bike challenge takes place in wildflowers, we pass tea plantations, coconut Kerala, one of the smallest states in India. The state farms, pine and bamboo forest which create a stretches for about 360 miles along the Malabar stunning patchwork of colours. At night we will Coast on the western side of the Indian peninsula. camp under the stars and our ride finishes with a well earned rest on the beach. Kerala has evolved a unique culture, and is a land of great natural beauty. From the majestic heights of the Western Ghats, the country undulates westward presenting a vista of silent valleys clothed in the richest green. We pass an outstanding variety of scenery over 340km, from the tropical forests of Western Ghats, fine wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Detailed itinerary Day 1: Depart London Day 3: Kochi to Parambikulam Day 5: Marayoor to Munnar 40km Depart London for a flight to India. This morning we will transfer approx. 7hrs Today our ride continues through by road to Parambikulam via Sholayar and Kanthalloor village before reaching Day 2: Arrive India Valparai Tea Estates. The roads wind us Anaimudo Shola National Park, the biggest We arrive at Kochi International airport through the stunning views of the Western Shola forest in India. It’s a tough uphill with a garland welcome, assistance and Ghats and we will stop off en-route for rough trail to the some tea plantations transfer to hotel. After an early lunch, lunch. Overnight Forest Lodge. and Kundula Dam. After lunch we ride into enjoy sightseeing of Kochi - an obscure the Yellapatty valley. Our camp tonight is fishing village that become the first Day 4: Parambikulam to Chinnar Wildlife approx. 1hrs walk into the tea plantation European township in India, Kochi has an Sanctuary to Marayoor 94km with the most spectacular views of Tamil eventful and colourful history. Its After breakfast our cycling challenge Nadi, the second highest peak in South reputation as a sea facing commercial begins around 10km drive away at the India. town was such that Nicolas Conti, an Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, where Italian traveller of the Middle Ages Elephants and the Nilgiri Tahr (ibex) are Day 6: Munnar to Kailasapara 99km remarked: ‘If China is where you make often spotted. The first 30kms take us A long day today. The ride is on rough jeep your money, then Kochi surely is the place through the villages of Tamil Nadu passing tracks winding through tea, coffee and to spend it.’ The town was shaped by the paddy fields and coconut farms. We then pepper plantations and then passing small Portuguese, the Dutch and later the enter Chinnar Sanctuary, famous for over villages with a stunning view point at British. The result of these cultural 225 species of bird stopping off for lunch Munnar-Lockheart Gap. The final section influences is seen in the many examples of and then continuing our afternoon ride to of the day is on tarmac to Kailasapara Indo European architecture that still exist our overnight camp spot. Camp. here. Just before dinner we will have a full briefing about the bike challenge and Day 7: Kailasapara to Periyar 99km spend time fitting our bikes. After breakfast our ride continues through quiet village roads where we can see paddy fields and spice plantations . Today will be very undulating until we reach Periyar, our camp for tonight. Detailed itinerary Day 8:Periyar to Kuttikanam to Elapara to Challenge grade Wagamon to Teekoy 64km Moderate Today we take an early morning tranquil boat ride in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Best time of year notable for an elephant and tiger October to February sanctuary. We then continue our ride to the beautiful camp at Teekoy, passing lush © Ultimate Challenges green undulating tea estates. Overnight This itinerary is complex and subject to camp. change Day 9: Teekoy to Kumarakom to Muhamma 66km Our final days riding! We ride through rubber and tea plantations to our finishing point at Muhamma. From here its a short transfer to Kovalam, a beautiful beach village and our hotel. Tonight we celebrate our achievements with a well deserved dinner. Day 10 : Depart India A free day to enjoy this sleepy fisherman’s village! The beach is quiet and a perfect place to relax and unwind after the cycling challenge. We will have an early dinner before the transfer to the airport for our flight in the early hours of tomorrow morning (local time). Day 11: Arrive London Early morning arrival. .